Metro Plus

Patient beats MD, nurses at psychiatric hospital, workers protest

Scene of the protest

Peter Dada, Akure

Medical workers at the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Akure, on Thursday protested against an alleged insensitivity of the state government towards their welfare.

The protesters alleged that the government exposed them to attacks by psychiatric patients, who often assaulted them while on duty.

READ ALSO: 13 burnt to death in Rivers road accident

It was gathered that the protest was staged after a patient, identified as Folorunsho Olawale, who was brought in by men of the Ondo State Police Command, allegedly attacked the nurses on duty and destroyed some equipment of the hospital on Wednesday.

A source said Olawale went to a police station in Akure and allegedly confessed to have been involved in the killing of Khadijat, the daughter of a former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo.


The source said the patient was aggressive at the hospital, adding that on Wednesday, he allegedly stabbed two nurses and beat up the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Akinwumi Akinloye.

The nurses and other medical workers of the psychiatric hospital were said to have informed the Permanent Secretary of the Hospital Management Board, Dr Niran Ikuomola, about the matter.

He was said to have told the workers to go back to their offices, which did not go down well with the employees.

Ikuomola’s reaction was said to have led to the Thursday protest, as the workers vowed not to return to work until the government addressed issues of their welfare and safety.

However, the permanent secretary accused union leaders of the hospital of inciting employees against the government, saying the workers had the right to table their grievances, but in a peaceful manner.

“We are going to address the challenges confronting the hospital, like power and security. I have assured the workers that we will table them before the state governor,” he said.

The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council in the state, Mr Opeyemi Oloniyo, said the workers wanted action and not words.



“But we want to say enough is enough because nothing seems to be working here and this is not acceptable to us.”

READ ALSO: Three arrested with 40 bags of hemp

The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr Femi Joseph, confirmed that the psychiatric patient was a suspect and was taken to the hospital by the command.


Copyright PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]